Sword Coast Rambling

OOC: Thanks Serak! Had it in my head by keep forgetting! Cutting words as well! If you’re still using it as before (reduce attacks  if they hit by 3 or damage on crits) then you could use it in retrospect on Beetles damage.

OCC:  1) Is the web flammable? 2) Is any part of the building flammable?  I'm thinking we get out and burn the place around it.

Syna casts Cure Wounds on Beetle (using a level 2 slot) : 8

OOC: The webs will burn but very slowly, (5ft cube per round). You'd need a lot of fire to burn the building down quickly and trap the spider inside. Unlike the last building, this one is mostly ruined walls and crumbled stone - no floorboards or furniture to catch fire. 

There's also no roof and the walls are only 5-8ft in height so there's nothing really to hold the spider inside in the case of a slow burn

With a roar of anger, Arkhan swings his sword around him, slicing masterfully at the webbing that holds him in place.

Arkhan Attack Roll: 16 (Rolled this again for your D/A and you had the same result)
Damage: 9

The dragonborns steel slices effortlessly through the sticky silk webbing, sending loose threads snapping sharply away from his legs. Freed once more, Arkhan eyes up the spider before him, a huge hand gripped tightly around his blade.

Seeing Beetle stagger from his injuries, Syna fears for the worst. He reaches a hand out into the air, channeling pure energy into his fingers. Turning his hand over, a tingling energy flows out of his palm, swirling into the building towards Beetle. 

Cure Wounds (2nd level) : 8

Strength slowly returns to the paladin as he places a hand onto his magically healed wound. Before him, the spiders abdomen swells threateningly. Beetle manages to stand steadily once more, holds his longsword before him and risks a quick glance around, planning his next move. 

OOC: Next round update is coming shortly. Back to work!  Actually ignore that, still waiting for Beetles turn this round!

Beetle feels healing powers wash over him from his companions...feeling rejuvenated he again swings at the spider with Talon...

Attack: 10 Damage: 11

Beetle shuffles his feet in an attempt to regain his balance as he strength returns. Without realizing he digs himself deeper into the webbing that surrounds him. Its sticky white threads clasp tightly around his armored legs, rooting him to the spot. 

Beetle Strength (Athletics) Check: 19

The paladin heaves himself free, snapping his silk bindings and thrusts Talon forwards at the giant spiders swollen body.

Beetle Attack Roll: 10

Beetles thrust is mistimed. His longsword stabs harmlessly into thin air as the spider sidesteps the attack. The paladin swallows hard, offers a short silent prayer to Tyr and grips his staff tightly.

Zyltris throws the squealing cultist to the ground beside his fallen comrades. With the others piling around the doorway, the elf is at first a little confused. The concern on their faces makes it obvious that trouble is afoot. With the party exposed on the flanks, he stands guard over the captured prisoner, hoping that he won't be required.

ROUND 5

OOC: So the Module guidelines and DMG conflict a little bit here over the rules for webbed spaces. The general rule is a check for starting or moving through a webbed space. For consistency I'll stick to the modules ruling for now - starting or entering a webbed space requires a Strength (Athletics) save of DC 12 or be restrained. If however (heres the fudge) you've freed yourself, as Arkhan has last round, you can forgo the save needed for starting in a webbed space as you've destroyed the web on that square. Moving to a new webbed space though will require another check.

If you guys want to move out of the webs on your turn before this round that's also fine - it's difficult terrain but you have enough movement (Though Beetle you will present an opportunity attack to the spider)

This round is now covered in dim light. PCs without darkvision or near a light source will begin to be at a disadvantage - for now the dim light causes the area to be lightly obscured - Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. The darkness will continue to grow round by round.

A familiar voice calls through the darkness, "Vitala!" 

Bonus Action: Healing Word 
HP Healed: 4 
Target: Beetlejuice

Seraks yell is the boost that Beetle needed as he braces himself for the spiders attack. Despite the challenge staring him in the face, the paladin can't help but smirk as Serak begins to throw insults at the beast. 

Action: Vicious Mockery 
Target: Spider 

Spider Wisdom Save: 1
Spell Save DC: 13

"Nasty little bugger, aren't you?" Seraks words do nothing but infuriate the eight legged monster further. Without warning the spiders swollen abdomen explodes, squirting streams of thick sticky webbing over Beetle.

Spider Attack Roll: 20

Quickly ducking, Beetle manages to dodge the deluge of silk. The spider contorts itself back to its regular shape, seemingly exhausted by its efforts. Its shorter forelegs quickly rub over its sharp pointed fangs as it flexes its jaws.

Brots Attack Roll: 19
Damage: (7+2) = 8

An arrow whistles past Beetles ear, tearing through the spiders thick exoskeleton. With a wordless screech the creature reels backwards, flailing its legs around, immediately seeking out the source of its pain. "GOTCHA!" Brots squeaks into the ruin in excitement, "Nows your chance Beetle!"  Reaching for another arrow, Brots gathers himself, pointing his bow back towards the beast.

OOC: That brings us back round again. Arkhan, Syna, Beetle and Serak you can all move when you like.

Probably against better judgement as he is still missing his armor Arkhan takes a step forward

athletics check 23

and if he isn’t restrained he grips his sword with both hands as it becomes engulfed in cracking energy as he casts booming blade

Attack: 6 Damage: 9

Beetle, frustrated with his swing and miss last time decides to strike again at the spider...he raises Talon and brings it forward directly at the spider...

Attack: 25 Damage: 8

Not wishing to add another fly to the webs, Syna hold back, calling forth the cold he casts [spell]Frostbite[\spell] at the Spider: 4

Serak: Once again, Serak shouts at the spider, "Die already you damn arachnid!"

Action: Vicious Mockery Target: Spider Damage: 4

Lifting his longsword, now draped in tattered webbing, Arkhan stomps towards the spider again. With his first step, the sticky webs grasp as his legs and feet, threatening to entrap him once more. 

Arkhan Strength (Athletics) check: 23 

Infuriated, the dragonborn kicks away the thick white strands, cutting his way towards the beast that stands before him. He channels his anger into his sword. The blade crackles to life with bright fizzling static as he holds it aloft in both hands. With a flash of lightning he swings his longsword, slicing it at the spider.

Attack: 6

Overcome with rage and tripping slightly on a stubborn thread of web, Arkhan fumbles his blow. His sword barely scratching into the spiders thick carapace.

From the relative safety of the trail, Syna watches as the two warriors face off against the huge spider. Not wanting to be entangled himself, the druid holds back again turning to his most reliable of spells. In an outstretched hand, small crystals of ice gather swirling together into a miniature blizzard around his wrist. With an expertly guided flick of the wrist, Syna launches the wintery wind into the ruin, hoping to freeze the spider where it stands.

Spider Constitution Save: 18
Spell Save DC: 13
Damage: 4

Beetle and Arkhan shiver as the howling wind swirls around them. Spinning crystals of ice chill the air, forming a thin silvery sheet across the spiders body. The ice hardens, tightening its joints and stiffening its hairy legs. The spiders movement slows dramatically as it lifts a poisoned foreleg off the ground.

Seeing his chance Beetle raises Talon once more, determined to make his blow count. Twirling his blade expertly in one hand, he thrusts it purposefully towards the spiders exposed abdomen.

Beetle Strength (Athletics) Check: 18

Attack: 25
Damage: 8

Talon plunges deep into the spiders thick armour, revealing a long tear down the length of its body. A thick gloopy mixture of threads, eggs and innards spill out onto the floor into a puddle which instantly freezes on the stone floor. With a hiss, the spider reels backwards onto its hind legs, stabbing its forelegs aimlessly towards the two warriors in front of it. 

ROUND 6

OOC: Thats up to date to Round 6. Visibility in now about 60%. Two rounds til darkness.

Seeing the spider in such pain, Serak can barely contain his jubilation. Goading the beast he calls again from the relative safety of the doorway, "Die already you damn arachnid!"

Action: Vicious Mockery 
Target: Spider 
Spider Wisdom Save: 20
Spell Save DC: 13

Completely distracted from its burst abdomen, the spider ignores the shouts from outside as its front legs plant themselves back onto the floor. Holding its legs in a pincer like fashion, the spider lashes out at Arkhan.

Spider Attack Roll: 6 (+ d/a)

Weakened by its injuries the spiders legs collapse under its own weight. Letting out a high pitched squeal, the beast makes to retreat over the southern wall. Scuttling backwards, the spider stretches its rear legs above it searching desperately for the wall. With a gap appearing before them, Beetle and Arkhan take their opportunity to strike.

Arkhan Attack Roll: 19
Beetle Attack Roll: 24

Arkhan Damage: 6
Beetle Damage: 5

As Beetle stabs again into the spiders body, Arkhan swings in frustration, cleaving off a number of limply standing legs. The spider hisses loudly as the two warriors withdraw their swords, its body writhing madly in pain before suddenly falling silent beside its fellow fallen spider.

Arkhan repeats his actions frustrated with losing light and missing his swing. He blinks hard trying to adjust to the dark, but his eyes still betray him. He swings his sword again encased in storm energy.

Attack: 22 Damage: 10

OOC: Regarding Syna's Frostbite spell, it only gives Disadvantage to Weapon attacks. It does more damage than Vicious Mockery, but Vicious Mockery works on any attacks.

OOC: The Monster Manual has the spiders attack as a melee weapon attack so Frostbite will still be effective. Don't think we've encountered anything yet that doesn't have an actual weapon attack so it's been useful so far!

Leaving the fallen spider carcasses in place, Arkhan and Beetle return to the others outside at the foot of the hill. With the night almost fully upon them, darkness has invaded the ruined town of Thundertree. Gathering themselves around the bonfire that still happily rages on, the party prepare for their next move.

To the north, the winding trail leads upwards towards a ruined tower which from where the party stands, appears to be in fairly good condition, despite clear damage to its upper floors. To the east, the path continues on for 20 feet before separating north and south, presumably deeper into the village. With a whistle, Brots calls Lucas back to him. The blood hawk screeches loudly as it lands heavily onto the gnomes shoulder, nuzzling into his neck. Zyltris grunts as he pokes the prisoner with his toe, "What are we doing with this one?"

OOC: 146XP gained there for each of your from the cultists and spiders. 

"Maybe we should set a camp for the night?" Beetle says, "Continue searching these ruins in the light again tomorrow?"

Serak:  Shaking his head while holstering his crossbow, Serak says, "We must find Dayereth before we camp. This cultist knows where he is being held..."

The bard then proceeds to tie up the unconscious Dragon Cultist. Once he is securely bound, he attempts to awaken the man with a slap across the face.

Reddened in the dim light, the cultists face trembles as his mask is slapped away. Mumbled broken words fall from his swelling lips, his eyes flicker open - bleary and bloodshot. Suddenly realising his situation the cultist jerks to one side as if to escape, but falls face first into the dirt road, taking in a mouthful of dry, charred dust. “Whu.... what do you want? Let me go!” The man coughs a cloud of ash as he splutters into the ground. Surely in his mid twenties, his face is young but battled hardened. On his left cheek, a scar from an old burn leads back to a small shrivelled ear hidden beneath his blonde hair. 

Serak: Drawing his rapier, Serak presses the razor sharp tip against the Cultist's throat and says, "Tell me where Dayereth is being held and how many guard him! Now!"

Intimidation: 18

Insight: 6

Squealing as the bard flips him over, the cultists tries in vain to scramble away. Surrounded on all sides, he does his best to keep the sharp point from digging into his neck as he blurts out a response, “Dayrith? The old guy? We have him in an old farm.... farmhouse south east of the square.” Serak squeezes the prisoners cloak tighter, daring to edge the blade forwards another half inch, “Ah! There’s only a handful of men down there.... three? Maybe four.... Most of us came up here to the tower with the Dragonborn! Please let me go!” Panic fills the cultists eyes, bright blue and watering. Clearly afraid for his life, he seemingly has no reason to lie.